[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 103 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E840-E841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXTENDING BEST WISHES TO CONGRESSMAN STEVE SCALISE WHO WAS WOUNDED IN 
       THE MASS SHOOTING AT SIMPSON PARK IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2017

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish our colleague 
Congressman Steve Scalise a full and speedy recovery in the wake of 
this most recent act of senseless violence.
  Wednesday morning, June 14, 2017, a deranged assailant launched an 
unprovoked attack against several Members of Congress, who along with 
some staff members, were practicing at Simpson Park in Alexandria, 
Virginia for the 56th Annual Congressional Baseball Game, an event 
designed to build amity across the aisle and raise funds for charity.

[[Page E841]]

  Among the five persons wounded was Congressman Steve Scalise, the 
Majority Whip, who sustained serious injuries and remains in critical 
condition.
  Our hearts and prayers are with Congressman Scalise and his family. 
Our thanks and appreciation go to the first responders who rescued and 
treated the wounded, and the U.S. Capitol Police officers who subdued 
the shooter and neutralized the threat of this vicious attack.
  Mr. Speaker, the damage from this mass shooting would have been much 
greater if not for the heroism, courage, professionalism, and skill of 
the U.S. Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, 
who swiftly responded to sound of gunshots and both of whom were struck 
and injured in the line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, it is no exaggeration to say that political discourse is 
too charged, too inflammatory, too uncivil these days, and I urge all 
of us in positions of leadership and influence to exercise calm and 
restraint and to be mindful of the impact of our words and rhetoric on 
others.
  But we also cannot ignore that Wednesday's attack constitutes the 
154th mass shooting in our country since the beginning of the year, or 
that the too easy access to guns helps to make these terrible attacks 
possible.
  Today, however, is not the day to debate gun violence prevention 
policy, but the occasion to wish Congressman Scalise a speedy recovery 
and a Happy Father's Day: and to hope he will soon be reunited with his 
wonderful wife Jennifer and their two children, Madison and Harrison.

                          ____________________